How to connect a wireless headset to a Xiaomi phone: all ways and solutions to problems

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life – they allow you to listen to music, answer calls and use voice assistants without unnecessary wires. Xiaomi smartphone owners (including the Redmi and POCO lines) often face questions about the correct connection of the headset, especially if we are talking about the first settings or non-standard devices. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of pairing, the nuances of working with different protocols (Bluetooth 5.0/5.2/5.3, LE Audio), and also solve typical problems – from the lack of sound to permanent communication breaks.

It’s important to understand that the connection process may differ depending on the headset model (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro vs. Sony WH-1000XM5) and the MIUI version on your smartphone. We’ve taken into account all the current updates of 2026, including the features of dual connection (to two devices simultaneously) and aptX/LDAC codecs for improved sound. If you have already tried to connect headphones but encountered an error, skip the basic steps and immediately go to the “Problems” section.

1. Compatibility Check: Which Headsets Work With Xiaomi

Before you start connecting, make sure your wireless headset is compatible with your phone. Xiaomi smartphones support most modern Bluetooth devices, but there are nuances:

• 🔹 Bluetooth Protocol: Devices with Bluetooth 4.2 newer (5.0/5.2/5.3) Old headsets (for example, with Bluetooth) 3.0) They may not work smoothly or may not support high quality codecs.
• 🎧 Branded headphones Xiaomi: Buds models 3/4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro or AirDots are optimized for MIUI and support advanced functions (for example, fast pairing when opening the case cover).
• 🔊 Codecs: For better quality, choose headsets with support for aptX, LDAC or AAC. Budget models are often limited SBC — It's not critical, but the sound will get worse.
• 📱 Version. MIUI: Starting with MIUI 12 added support LE Audio (for Bluetooth 5.2 headsets)+), Improves energy efficiency and allows you to connect multiple devices at the same time.

To check the Bluetooth version on your Xiaomi, go to Settings → About Phone → Full Specification → Bluetooth. If your smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0 and newer, there should be no compatibility issues. Except for some gaming headsets (such as SteelSeries or Razer), which may require additional settings to work correctly with MIUI.

2. Basic connection: step-by-step instruction for any headphones

The standard pairing process is the same for most wireless headsets, and we’ll take it up with the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, but the steps are relevant for other brands as well, making sure the headphones are in search mode (usually holding the on button or opening the case cover).

Here's what we need to do:

1. Activate Bluetooth on your phone: Swipe down the screen to open the notification bar, and click on the Bluetooth icon (or go to Settings → Connections & Sharing → Bluetooth).
2. Put the headset in pairing mode: 🔋 For Xiaomi Buds: Open the case cover and hold the button on the back for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white/blue. 🎧 For AirPods: Open the case cover and hold the button on the back until white light flashes. 🔊 For other models: You usually need to hold the power button for 5-10 seconds (see the instructions for your headset).

Find the device in the list

Bluetooth

Mi True Wireless Earphones

Confirm the conjugation

0000

1234

After successful connection next to the headset name will appear the inscription "Connected", and in some models Xiaomi will display the level of charge of the headphones. If the sound did not appear automatically, check whether the headset is selected as the output device in Settings → Sound → Output device.

Charge the headset (minimum 20% battery) |

Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device |

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone |

Transfer the headset to the pairing mode (see instructions)-->

3. Advanced MIUI features for Xiaomi headsets

If you use Xiaomi branded headphones (such as Buds 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro), then after connecting, additional settings will be available in the Mi Earphones app (formerly Mi AIoT), which can be downloaded from Google Play or AppGallery.

• 🎛️ Equalizer: Selection of preset profiles (Bases, Clarity, Voice) or manual frequency setting.
• 🔇 Noise suppression: Level adjustment ANC (active noise reduction) or enabling Transparency for ambient sounds.
• 🎤 Microphone settings: Improve voice during calls or turn off microphone on one of the headphones.
• ⚡ Quick connection: Automatic pairing when opening the case cover (works only with MIUI 12+).

For third-party headsets (such as Sony or JBL), similar settings may be available in the manufacturer's proprietary applications. However, some features (such as dual connection to two devices at once) may not work on MIUI due to firmware limitations. In this case, updating the Bluetooth stack through Settings → About Phone → System Update will help.

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If your headset doesn’t appear in the Mi Earphones app, try reconnecting it manually: remove the device from the Bluetooth list, restart the phone, and re-pair.

4.Dual connection: how to connect a headset to two devices

Multipoint (simultaneously connecting to two devices) is available on most modern headsets, but support for it on the Xiaomi side depends on the MIUI version and the headphone model. For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro support this feature out of the box, and for AirPods or Sony WH-1000XM5 may require additional settings.

To activate the dual connection:

1. Connect the headset to the first device (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) as described above.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headset (usually double pressing a button or holding the sensor).
3. On a second device (like a laptop or tablet), find the headset in the Bluetooth list and connect.
4. Some models (e.g. JBL Live 660NC) require the second device to be confirmed in the manufacturer’s app.

On MIUI 13/14, dual connectivity is stable, but there may be delays when switching between devices (e.g., listening to music on your phone and receiving a call to your laptop). To minimize lags, turn off energy-saving mode in Bluetooth settings (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Additional → Energy Saving).

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Dual connectivity can drain the headset faster by 15-20%. If the battery goes down too quickly, turn off the second pair in the Bluetooth settings.

5. Sound optimization: codecs, equalizer and delays

The sound quality of wireless headphones depends not only on the headphones themselves, but also on the codec that is used to transmit audio. By default, MIUI chooses SBC, the most versatile, but not the highest quality codec. If your headset supports aptX, LDAC or AAC, you can force them to turn on for better sound.

How to change the codec:

1. Connect the headset to the phone.
2. Open Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer.
3. Find the Bluetooth Codec and choose the best option: aptX Adaptive is the best balance of quality and latency (for games and music). LDAC is the highest quality (up to 990 kbps), but high latency. AAC is good for Apple AirPods and streaming.

If you change the codec and the sound starts to break or you get interference, go back to SBC, which is the most stable, but it's not as good, and also check if the power saving mode is on in the Bluetooth settings, which can limit bandwidth.

6. Problem Solving: Headset fails to connect or sound goes missing

Even if you do it right, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them.

• 🔌 Headset is not on the device list: Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator should flash). Reboot Bluetooth on the phone: turn it off and turn it on again. Try connecting from another device - if it doesn't work, the problem is in the headset.
• 🔇 There's a sound, but it's interrupted: Turn off the Wi-Fi on your phone, sometimes it causes interference. Reduce the distance between your phone and the headset (maximum 10 meters). In Bluetooth settings, turn off Absolute Volume (if you have one).
• 🎵 Sound distorted or silent: Check if noise cancellation is on, which can degrade quality. Reset the headset settings (usually holding the power button for 10-15 seconds). Update the headphone firmware through the manufacturer's app.
• 🔄 The headset connects but immediately shuts down: Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and reconnect. Turn off automatic switching on other devices (for example, on a laptop). On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) it helps to disable dual audio in Bluetooth settings.

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If the headset is connected but the microphone is not working, check if it is selected as the input device in Settings. → Sound. → Input device. Sometimes after updating MIUI this parameter is reset.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Bluetooth problems may be due to an incorrect Bluetooth stack. MIUI or installing a patch for Bluetooth.

7. Battery Optimization: How to Reduce Headset Charge Consumption

Wireless headphones discharge faster if you actively use functions like noise cancellation or dual connection. To extend the time, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Turn off unnecessary functions: Noise suppression (ANC) It can reduce your work time by 20 to 30 percent, and only use it in noisy places. AI) background-expending.
• 📶 Reduce Bluetooth power: In Bluetooth settings, turn off Device Search after you connect. If you're not using multipoint, turn off the second device.
• 🔄 Update your firmware: Manufacturers regularly optimize their energy consumption through updates.
• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures: Storing headphones in the sun or cold speeds up battery discharge.

Average working hours of the majority TWS-Headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) are 6-8 hours with the headphones on ANC If the battery goes down in 2-3 hours, this is an occasion to check the headset for malfunction or reset it to factory settings.

Frequent questions